The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-03-10

oOOOhLfN, IN, T., March o.-IteV. ttenry
Ward Beecher, the great Plymouth pastor, is
dead The physicians and nurses at his bed.
side were about finishing their third night Of
anxiety and hopeless watchfulness when at
$50 this morning DIR. Searle, who has been
In constant attendance upon the patient
hnce early last evening discovered that
sudden change had come over the dying
preacher. He at once made hurried exam
nation Of his charge and, with significant
shake of his hands, indicated to the other at
tendents in the sick room that there was not
the slightest hope left. He at once issued
and had posted the following:
'The critical moment in Mr. Beecher's life
has now passed He is rapidly sinking, and
his death is but question of few hours
"W. S. SEARLE, M. D."
Copies of this bulletin were Immediately
despatched to all parts Of the city, and soon
the publication of the abandonment of the
last hope of Mr. Beecher's physician became
widely circulated.
The citizens Of Brooklyn on their way to
their respective places Of business, went
many blocks out of their regular route to
pass the Beecher residence, to get glimpse
of the latest bulletin. Many fingered about
the house, until, at 7:3O o'clock, the crowd
had become so great the police were obliged
to request them to disperse The first bulle-
tin of the day was now replaced by the fol-
lowing:
'Mr, Beecher is sinking steadily and will
probably live but short time
"W. S. SEARLE, MD"
From this time on Mr.. Beecher grew
rapidly worse until $50 o'clock when he
died
From the time that DIR. Searle issued his
7:30 bulletin up to the end the family and a
few intimate friends gathered around the
bedside. The patient lay on his back, the
merest motion of the chest indicating respi-
ration. He was as still as when the breath
ing ceased. His countenance had changed
from coarse to fine The white hair rested
like benediction Of the lilies on the wan and
painless temples The room was warm and
bright with the morning sun and nature
poured in her cheering rays, and near the
head Of the sleeper knelt his aged wife in SOL
smn prayer. By her side was Col H. N.
Beecher and his devoted wife; behind them
were their children: Margaret, Edith and
Harry On the other side of the bed were
Col W. G. Beecher and wife, their niece,
Miss Bullard, and by them stood the son-in-
law, Rev. Samuel Scovill, of Hartford,
Conn, his wife, Hattie Beecher Scovll;
whose resemblance to her father is startling,
and their two daughters. The faithful DR..
Searles stood outside of the immediate group
Pastor Halliday stood at the foot of the bed,
and near him were Mr.. and Mrs. S. V.
White, Rev Lyman Abbot. NJ E. A. Sea-
comb stood in the background. whispered
word of comfort would be exchanged by
those who stood near one another. Heads
were bowed in silent prayer or eyes would let
the tears flow unchecked. The great man
slept on, nature slowly ebbing away. At
$3.50 precisely, a keen ray of light, unusual in
It's intensity, fell across the countenance and
reflected the dancing shade Of the pendant
crystal on the mantle lamps upon the white
pillow. There had been the regular sound of
stertorious breathing, low, regular, but
0s marked and unnoted as the ticking Of the
clock At 9:3O exactly, the sound ceased and
the soul had bidden the tenement goodbye
until they that sleep shall rise, until this cor
ruptible shall put on interruption, un-
til this mortal shall put ON Immortality, and
rising spiritual body, death shall be swal-
lowed up in victory.
Quincy Ward, the sculptor, is expected to
take cast of the dead preachers face for
the statue already long provided for by his
Vtaunch old friend, Mr.. Henry Sage, Of
Ithaca, N. Y This will ornament Prospect
park.
DR.. Searle said to a United Press reporter
'"The immediate cause Mr.. Beecher's death
was not from the stoppage of the heart, but
from asphyxia said to be delightful sensa-
tion, or like troubled dream The family
Is all in good health. Mrs Beecher remains
calm and composed"
Soon after the announcement Of Mr..
Beecher's death a large wreath of flowers
was placed on the door Of the residence, Mr.
Beecher having never favored Grape One of
che first persons to arrive at the house was
Mayor Whitney He die, not enter but sent
In his card and coincidence to Mrs Bsecher.
He started at once for the City Hall and
gave orders that all the flags should be dis
played at half mast on the municipal build
ings. This action was soon followed by the
Federal officials at the postofice and navy
yard. The flags are also at half mast on
both towers Of the East River bride, and
similar prompt display was made by private
citizens generally. A large number Of
friends Of the family called at the residence
this morning to extend sympa thy to the be-
reaved family. Telegraph boys were con-
stantly climbing the high steps to the house
bearing messages from friends in private
and public life, Among the kilograms re-
eeived were the following;
N ROCHESTER,, N. r., March 8.
10 Col. +. Y. BE cher:
accept my sincere sympathy in your
great affection Tbs friends Of your illustri-
Gus father all mourn with you.
g,r~ .r0. ,-., @. L. STEwELL.n
The funeral arrangements are as yet incom-
plete, but IL has been decided that IL shall
bake place ON Thursday, and that Rev. DR..
Hall, Of the Holy Trinity church. will offici-
ate.
DR.. Hall and Mr.. Beecher were very warm
friends, and it is said that compact existed
between them to the end that whichever was
called away first the survivor should officiate
at the funeral a1
Mr. Beecher had been chaplain Of the Thir-
IaH t'4f